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Produced by UMD, the Italian American Festival has
been a year-long exchange between Duluth and Palermo, Sicily.
UMD students traveled to Palermo in January. Now the festival
activities are in Duluth and are expected to draw people from
the region and the world.

Tickets for the Italian American Festival are now on sale
and may be purchased by calling (218) 726-7351. This celebration of
arts, academics, and culture embraces the centuries-old connection between
Italy and America. From opera to an academic conference, and a world
premiere musical to bocce, the Italian American Festival events promise
enjoyment for people of all ages, interests and nationalities.

"The Secret of the Talking Bird" made its world premiere
debut last on April 22 in the UMD Marshall Performing Arts Center. Performances
are April 28 through May 1 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets,
contact the Box Office at 726-8561.

April 28, "Perspectives from Italy", an exhibition of Italian
art, opens at the Tweed Museum of Art on the UMD campus, and at the
North Shore Bank of Commerce, downtown Duluth. Admission is free, and
the exhibits are on display April 28 through June 15.

The classic opera is produced by the UMD Department of
Music and the Conservatorio Statale di Musica Vincenzo Bellini in Palermo.
It will be sung in Italian with English super titles. Opera tickets
can be purchased through TicketMaster at (218) 727-2121.

May 1, The Italian Heritage Celebration takes place
at the DECC. This full day involves bocce, entertainment with featured
performances by Jerry Grillo and I Cantatori, Italian cuisine, arts
and crafts for kids, merchandise, displays and much more.
* At 2 p.m., approximately 800 Duluth high school students will take
the stage to perform a concert of Italian music.
* At 4 p.m., the music of the great Italian American Crooners, Tony
Bennett, Bobby Darrin, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra, will be performed
by UMD Jazz Ensemble I, with UMD alumnus Steve Vecchi as guest soloist.
* At 5 p.m., a heritage banquet hosted by Chancellor Martin will feature
distinguished guests from around the United States and Italy.

May 2, the story of St. Peter's Catholic Church will be presented at
10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, 810 West Third Street in Duluth. St.
Peter's is one of Duluth's historic centerpieces and was funded and
built by Italian Americans.

The public is invited to all the activities. For information or to
order tickets for any festival event, call (218) 726-7351.